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Q3. (John 11:23-25) What do you think Jesus meant when He said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life"? ANSWER: “I am the Resurrection and the Life” is the fifth of the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus. When Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life,” He was claiming to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, and there is no eternal life apart from Christ. Jesus was also making a statement concerning His divine nature. He does more than give life; He IS life, and therefore death has no ultimate power over Him. Jesus confers this spiritual life on those who believe in Him, so that they share His triumph over death. Believers in Jesus Christ will experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, it is impossible for death to defeat them. Jesus’ statement that He is the resurrection and the life provides a godly perspective on several spiritual matters. Jesus showed us that the resurrection is a Person. Jesus proved that knowledge of eternal life is a personal relationship. Jesus showed that victory is a present reality. What role will Jesus play in the resurrection of the dead? ANSWER: The Resurrection was a literal, physical raising of Jesus’ body from the dead. When Jesus rose from the dead, he confirmed his identity as the Son of God and his work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. Jesus' resurrection from the dead means that He really is who He says He is, true God in the flesh, the Christ, our Savior. Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Jesus is the powerful Son of God who has conquered death and reigns as Lord of all (Romans 1:4; 4:25). The resurrection demonstrates that Jesus' “blood of the new covenant” saves His people from their sins. The resurrection shows that Jesus defeated death. It is seen as proof of life after death. the resurrection also proves God's omnipotence. and omni benevolence. Without the resurrection, the belief in God's saving grace through Jesus is destroyed.

Q2. (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15) According to scripture, both the righteous and unrighteous will experience resurrection. What will be the result of resurrection for the righteous? ANSWER: Resurrection is, a time of grace during which God will help us to become sanctified. The resurrection of the righteous (also known as the saints or the just) is part of a judgment process; God’s gift of salvation entails the receipt of an immortal body. Depending on whether the recipient is still alive upon the return of Christ, God will either raise the person from the dead or transform the individual’s mortal body to an immortal version. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we will be part of The Resurrection Of The Righteous! The Resurrection Of The Righteous occurs at the time of the Rapture, just before the start of the seven-year final Tribulation period. It is referred to in Revelation 20:6. There are three installments to The Resurrection Of The Righteous! The first is described in 1 Corinthians 15:20 through 22. Jesus is the first fruits of The Resurrection Of The Righteous! And there will be a great resurrection harvest of people made righteous by His sacrifice on the cross! The main part of The Resurrection Of The Righteous follows the Lord’s resurrection! The second part of The Resurrection of the Righteous Paul writes about in I Corinthians 15:51 through 54. This refers to the Rapture! It is when all those who have died truly believing in Jesus shall be resurrected! The third installment of The Resurrection Of The Righteous is found in Revelation 20:4 and 5. This part of The Resurrection Of The Righteous is clearly at the time of Jesus’ second coming! It is the resurrection of the Tribulation saints, those who have been martyred during the time of the antichrist because they remained faithful to the Lord. And this occurs seven years after the Rapture! It is said that there is a second resurrection, and it is described in Revelation 20:5: “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” These dead are resurrected only to face the great white throne judgment, then to be cast into eternal hell! (See Revelation 20:11-15). NOTE: Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you will be part of The Resurrection Of The Righteous!

Q1. How does Job's vision of resurrection (Job 19:25-27) differ from the Jews' former understanding of death as Sheol? ANSWER: Sheol" is seen as a place of despair and of nothingness whereas Job sees death as a time of renewal and of hope after the hard slog of life. Almost all ancient Jewish believers affirmed the existence of an afterlife and the immortality of the soul. Job described Sheol as a place of darkness and deep shadow, where man is in a state of sleep, hopeless, with worms, in the dust. Though my spirit leave my body, and though worms destroy its present organization, yet in the morning of the resurrection I shall behold the face of my Savior, in this same tabernacle. What is Progressive Revelation? ANSWER: The term “progressive revelation” refers to the idea and teaching that God revealed various aspects of His will and overall plan for humanity over different periods of time, which have been referred to as “dispensations” by some theologians. Progressive revelation as it relates to salvation: no matter when a person has lived, their salvation is ultimately dependent on the work of Christ and a faith placed in God, but the amount of knowledge a person had concerning the specifics of God’s plan has increased through the ages via God’s progressive revelation. Progressive revelation does not mean that God’s people in the Old Testament were without any revelation or understanding. Those living before Christ were not “without the preaching that contains the hope of salvation and of eternal life, but, they only glimpsed from afar and in shadowy outline what we see today in full daylight.” The fact that no one is saved apart from the death and resurrection of Christ is clearly stated in Scripture (John 14:6). The basis of salvation has been, and will always be, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and the means of salvation has always been faith in God. However, the content of a person’s faith has always depended on the amount of revelation that God was pleased to give at a certain time.

Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about “what things are coming to”? ANSWER: We are to guard what has been entrusted to our care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? ANSWER: Remaining true to your faith may feel all but impossible when it's absent from so many elements of daily life. You must find a way of reconnecting with your faith and incorporating it into your daily routine. Living out your faith isn't easy, but it's far from impossible. With a little commitment and a lot of grace, you can cultivate a strong spiritual connection to guide you through the challenges of the modern world. One of the most important aspects of the Christian life, is to guard our hearts, because the status of our hearts affects who we are, how we feel, what we do and how we live. Guarding our hearts from a scriptural perspective means for us to be alert, through the power of Christ within us, to what enters and dwells in our hearts. We need to be aware of what we say and do, because over time, our thoughts and actions shape the status of our hearts. Biblically guarding our hearts is founded on consistent communication with our Lord for direction, conviction and peace. Guarding our hearts with Scripture helps keep our faith on track, but the walls we erect to keep people out or protect our emotions can become walls which keep us bound in insecurity, fear, unhappiness and loneliness. God created us for companionship and love. He wants us to live free, full of joy and with peace in our hearts. All of those gifts are available through Him, no matter what we’ve been through or what lies ahead.

Q4. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) What kinds of actions are the best antidote for the love of money? ANSWER: The kinds of actions that are the best antidote for the love of money is those who are rich in this present age, who have more than is needed, should “be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share”(1Timothy 6:17, 18). We are to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. We cannot trust in riches, or in our ability to provide them. We are to put our hope in God who provides everything that we have. This is key; God provides everything that we have; it was never ours to begin with. The best remedy for greed is generosity. How can we cultivate generosity so that it remains healthy, rather than let it go overboard and hurt our families? ANSWER: Generosity is not a single act. We need to make generosity a life practice to experience its benefits. Also one must cultivate gratitude. Cultivate your positivity through the practice of intentionally appreciating all that is good in your life every day. Your gratitude will help to inspire your generosity. We practice generosity because of the inherent happiness it brings, not to make ourselves special. We are already abundantly special through the simple fact of our existence. Generosity begets joy. Make generosity one of your daily, intentional love practices. You and everyone around you will benefit.

Q3. (1 Timothy 6:7-10) How does love for money grow? ANSWER: "The LOVE of money is A root of all sorts of evil." Money can be used for good as well as for ill, but it is the LOVE of money which is being spoken of in this verse. ******* after money and the intense desire to gain more money and increase worldly wealth, is what is being spoken about here. The love of money is not the single source of evil, but that the love of money is one of many ungodly ways that entices us into various sins and wickedness. We should always remember that the desire to get rich can cause men and women to fall into temptation. Sadly, the love of money can become a snare with many barbs which plunge men into ruin and destruction. Some have lost their grip on the things of God and foolishly turned back into fleshly carnality, which inevitably causes much grief and heartache, and severs fellowship with our Heavenly Father. These warnings in the Bible about the love of money and desire for wealth should be heeded, but we should also be careful that we do not distort God's Word, by taking a verse out of context or allowing Biblical truth to be distorted by a worldly interpretation, for it is the love of money that is a root of many kinds of evil. May we use the money we have wisely. May we use it as a servant and not allow it to become a master. May we keep the Lord Jesus in His rightful position, at the centre of our life... for when He is the focus of our heart, other things are kept within a correct perspective. How does it become a trap? ANSWER: The desire for wealth is like a snare, ready to be sprung and trap you in its constraints. Riches are temporal. We are rich only "in this present world." You can't take it with you. Riches are uncertain. Wealth can be an illusion that quickly disappears. Income can vanish quickly and shrink with no way to stop them. Riches are deceitful. Wealth is deceitful in that it promises one thing, but delivers another. Riches cause arrogance. Wealth produces a feeling of superiority to the poor. Pride and a desire for wealth feed on each other. Riches replace God as the source of trust. When we have a comfortable life we are often tempted to trust in our relative wealth, rather than to trust in God. How do you escape this deceptive trap? ANSWER: The rich are commanded to hope in God instead of wealth. To escape the deception trap, we are to: Hope in God. We are to realign our trust system. Where we find ourselves trusting in our wealth, we must repent and turn afresh to God. We must firmly fix our hope in God and reject the very great temptations to trust our income and savings to get us through. Do good. Wealth gives us options to do more than just survive. We are to do as much of the good we can do because God has supplied our basic needs. Be rich in good deeds. True riches are found in heaven, so we are to lay up treasures there (Matthew 6:19-20), so that we are "rich in good deeds" (Matthew 6:18). Be generous. We have to help others with our possessions. Be willing to share. We must be willing to give or share what is ours, liberal and generous.

Q2. (1 Timothy 6:6) Why should we seek contentment? ANSWER: Contentment is finding joy in what God has given to you. Contentment is a state of being where one is satisfied with their current situation, and the state of affairs in one's life as they presently are. If one is content, they are pleased with their situation and how the elements in one's life are situated. The key to Contentment is about accepting people and things as they are, and not dwelling on how you wish things should be. It's about keeping a positive attitude when there are difficulties, and not letting your unfulfilled expectations of a person or situation cause you inner pain. The secret to contentment isn't a hobby or an activity, it's relationships with Jesus Christ. And the measure to which you have that is the measure to which you can cope with any circumstance. The more of Jesus we have in our life, the more hardship we can cope with. Contentment is simply gratitude, appreciation, and acceptance for the way things are right now. Contentment is so important because brings peace of mind and positivity that can facilitate growth and self-improvement. This does not mean you can't have dreams and aspirations. You can accept the present and still wish for a better future. Contentment only means to be at peace with the present, not complacent. Doesn’t contentment keep us from trying to get ahead so our families can have what they need? ANSWER: Family Contentment does not mean gaining everything you desire but finding joy in the little pleasures that already surround you. Carve out time to meet your own needs and model the necessity of self-care to your children. Create a home and life that sustains you and your family, bringing joy to your journey together. What’s the balance between contentment and the quest for improvement? ANSWER: Find a balance: Aiming higher doesn't have to mean sacrificing contentment. Strive to strike a balance between the two, concentrating on realizing your objectives while also taking pleasure in the here and now. Set reachable and realistic goals. Making realistic goals will help you stay motivated and reduce stress. The quest for improvement/being ambitious vs being content can be a difficult duality to reconcile. But achieving a balance between the two can make life more satisfying. You may build both satisfaction and ambition in your life by figuring out your values, making achievable goals, and being grateful. Remember, finding a way to embrace both is more important than choose one over the other.

Q1. (1 Timothy 6:5) Why do you think people are so susceptible to distorted Bible teaching concerning financial gain? ANSWER: Money is a sensitive topic, in large part because so many people either manage it poorly or are way too attached to it. Even though Jesus focused much of His teaching on money, it is somewhat a taboo topic for church leaders. Some reason(s) why church leaders avoid the topic of/are afraid to talk about money is: Fear of being grouped with a few. There is a small group of church leaders that abuse their platform for personal financial gain. Fear of reducing attendance. For many it is the fear of being seen as an earthly failure frightens some church leaders. And if avoiding the topic of money is one way to mitigate perceived failure, they do it. Fear of turning off guests. Church leaders want guests to attend. They want guests to feel welcome. Unfortunately, some church leaders allow their desire for guests to feel welcome lead them to avoid topics like money. Fear of hate mail. Church leaders know that it is almost inevitable that they will be criticized for talking about money. Church leaders know when they talk about money, they can expect their email inbox to blow up with criticism. Fear of conviction regarding their own finances. There is an unfortunate reality that some church leaders are in a financial mess. So they feel like a hypocrite when they talk about God’s plan for money. And so they ignore the topic to avoid the personal conviction. Fear that talking about money is heard as asking for money. Church leaders know that as soon as the word “money” is uttered from their mouth, some people in the church will assume they are asking for money, again. Even if the church leader has no intention to ask for money but is simply teaching about money, these people shut down. And it is a discouraging thought for church leaders. Admitting that there is some truth in popular teachings in our time, what are the distortions that you may have heard? ANSWER: What the false teachers had done was to doctrinally link godliness with wealth."If you're godly or religious," they were saying, "you can become wealthy." We sometimes have teachers in our day proclaim: “Poverty is a sin and a bondage." “Wealth is God's blessing on the godly." “If we believe the promises of God, we will prosper financially." "If we tithe, we will get more money, because we can't out-give God." How do they differ from the truth? ANSWER: There is some truth to those statements above teachings and some things that are warped and distorted. Even if the original teachers of these doctrines may have had right hearts towards money, their disciples and modern proponents of these doctrines often don't.

Q5. (1 Timothy 6:1-2) In what ways has the Gospel sown the seeds that will eventually destroy slavery? ANSWER: Spreading the Gospel is like sowing seeds because you are trying to create the most receptive place for the seed to be planted. Sharing the Gospel is a relational endeavor, and preparing the soil simply means building a relationship with the people around us. The lesson we learnt from 1 Timothy 6:1-2:…It means you are strong. It means you are truly free in Christ. You are so free, that, if those in authority over you misbehave, you do NOT have to retaliate. Jesus and the apostles did not outright condemn slavery. They didn’t need to. The effect of the gospel is that lives are changed, one by one, and those changed lives in turn bring transformation to entire families, clans, and cultures. Christianity was never designed to be a political movement, but, over time, it naturally affected political policy. In nations where Christianity spread and took firm hold, slavery was brought to an end through the efforts of born-again individuals. The seeds of the emancipation of slaves are in the Bible, which teaches that all men are created by God and made in His image which condemns those who kidnap and sell a person, and which shows that a slave can truly be “a brother in the Lord.” Why does Paul seem to condone slavery in this passage? ANSWER: According to 1 Timothy 6:1, the reason for slaves maintaining their inferior position in society was “so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.” Paul wasn’t condoning slavery, but was showing that his overriding concern was the proclamation of the Gospel in light of the soon coming of the Lord. For Paul and the early church fathers, the importance of preaching the gospel in light of the soon return of Christ took priority over the social order. It is imperative for us to realize that slavery is not a part of creation {i.e., God’s original created order}; it is a product of sin. In 1 Timothy, we see that biblical instructions concerning slavery do not imply biblical approval of slavery. When Paul addresses slavery, he is not endorsing it; he is helping to shepherd people who are involved in a sinful economic and social system in which slavery is prevalent. What is Paul’s motive? ANSWER: Paul’s motive was to helped raise the status of slaves, and eventually to bring an end to slavery, by encouraging Christian slaves to work with responsibility and dignity. Although slavery is a product of sin, slaves should live for the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel. The care being commanded here is not for slaves. Rather, care and honor is demanded from them. The entire letter is a polemic of sorts. It's a defense of the gospel. Paul demands that slaves conduct themselves in a manner that adorns and protects the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than detracts from and discredits it. Paul gives two reasons why slaves (and by implication every Christian) must be concerned about their conduct as they serve men.

Q3. (1 Timothy 5:19-21) Why was it necessary to make formal accusations and “try” the false teachers? ANSWER: Churches are commanded by God to exercise discipline toward erring members. This discipline has a two-fold purpose of bringing the sinning member to repentance and keeping the church body pure so it can be both salt and light in this world. Any church pastor who refuses to lead their church in the exercise of discipline are in open rebellion against God and are assisting in the creation of an immoral climate that thrives in our civilization today and are essentially fulfilling 2 Timothy 4:3-4. It is a very sad situation when professing Christians are allowed to misbehave (act any old way) in the House of The Lord and are never disciplined by the Church. Why were the temptations to compromise and not go through with it so great? ANSWER: Church discipline can be done badly, even abusively. This occurs when churches require what Scripture doesn’t require, and when they don’t exercise case-by-case pastoral sensitivity. Abusive church discipline is a great evil to be guarded against. Discipline should always be done for the sake of love: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves.” To forsake discipline when it’s warranted is not to show love but hate. The goal of discipline is always redemption, protecting other sheep, and honoring the name of Christ. Why is it so difficult to exercise church discipline today? ANSWER: In today’s society, it is difficult to exercise church discipline because some churches don't practice discipline, they're unaware of the biblical mandate or unsure how to start the process. Others, however, have concerns about the potential consequences of such a practice. There are other reasons/objections the churches reject the practice of church discipline. #1: Discipline is unloving. (Many look at any form of discipline as arrogant, cruel, and unloving.) #2: The church is filled with sinners. (The argument here is that discipline is hypocritical since no one is guiltless; we’re all marred by sin. The church is certainly not to condemn others unjustly.) #3: The church can be wrong. (Church discipline, therefore, is a “warning,” not a binding “pronouncement.” The church recognizes God as the ultimate judge of all things. So, even though discipline connotes a proper tone of serious admonition, a warning of “potential” judgment, it doesn’t become unerringly certain because the church is filled with fallible sinners. It should, however, be taken with all seriousness.) #4: Discipline is overly invasive. (Discipline seems to be too far-reaching because it “invades” the privacy of people’s lives and turns often private sin into a public spectacle.)

Q2. (1 Timothy 5:17-18) In what circumstances should elders be compensated financially? ANSWER: Elders are worthy of verbal honor and financial support according to 1 Timothy 5:17-18. It has been the custom of most churches to financially support those elders who serve as full-time pastors. But verses 17-18 teach that all of the elders are worthy of double honor. Therefore, if a church wants to financially support one of them to make it possible for him to devote more time to ministry, that would be biblical. What is the Scriptural support for such a practice? ANSWER: According to 1 Timothy 5:4, "this is pleasing in the sight of God." Later verses will point out that Christian believers are particularly obligated to care for their families (1 Timothy 5:8). 1 Timothy 5:17-18 states: Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching. The command is much more straightforward: honor him abundantly and to overflowing.

Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? ANSWER: Remember, although Paul is speaking directly to Timothy regarding the church in Ephesus, these principles are applicable to us as well. The first responsibility is, the Elders should be shown honor. Elders are deserving of financial remuneration for their work. That's the meaning of "worthy of double honor" (1 Timothy 5:17): (1) respect for their work as well as (2) the honor conferred through compensation (recompense ) and honorarium (fee). Paul is very clear that children and grandchildren have an obligation to care for their own elderly parents. This is essentially the point of the fifth commandment, to honor one’s own father and mother. Since the fifth commandment is to "honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12), to fail to do so is to deny the very faith you claim to believe. Paul argues, that even unbelievers care for their aged relatives. Not to take on this responsibility makes one worse than an "unbeliever" or "infidel." According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? ANSWER: The ancient world had great respect for those who had risen to old age.It is well documented that the elderly population is growing rapidly. Those who were called "baby boomers" (1946-1964) are all reaching the age of retirement. We see something else happening, older people are increasingly being seen as marginal. The high value placed on youth has resulted in some seeing the older population as out-of-date and irrelevant. Paul points out that the church should be there to take care of those widows who are genuinely in need. After all, the church is a family. Families should provide for their widowed relatives – See verses 4 and 8. The first criteria Paul gives is that if the widows have surviving relatives (specifically descendants), these should provide for them. The church was not to step in and take care of widows who could and should be supported by their own families. In what way is this a “repayment” of a debt? ANSWER: Caring for one's parents and grandparents is God's way of "repaying" or "requiting" them for In Paul’s way of thinking, children accumulate a kind of debt before their parents. First, and most obviously, your parents gave you the gift of life. If you were raised in a Christian home you have even more to be grateful for since your parents introduced you to the Bible, took you to church, and told you the gospel. They spent endless hours in prayer, seeking God’s favor on your behalf. Taking care of your parents is an expression of love and devotion for them before anyone else. It's a way of giving them back all the love and effort they showered us with while raising us. Caring for the elderly important because it enables them to live a higher quality of life until the end. To what does Paul compare those who refuse this responsibility? ANSWER: In 1 Timothy 5:4, 8,16 Paul makes it very clear that families should care for their own. Paul makes it absolutely clear that believers are expected to provide for aged family members. He gives strong language claiming that those who do not take care of their own families are worse than unbelievers. Even unbelievers care for their aged relatives, Paul argues. Not to take on this responsibility makes one worse than an "unbeliever" or an "infidel.” Caring for one's parents and grandparents is God's way of "repaying" or "requiting.”

Q5. (Revelation 11:15; Psalm 24:7) When people think of spending an eternity in heaven, who do they most look forward to being with? ANSWER: Our relationships in heaven, according to Scripture, tells us we will all be living with the same person (Jesus), in the same place (heaven), with God’s people (the church). Christ said that there won’t be human marriage in heaven (Matthew 22:30). Yet there will be marriage in heaven, one marriage, between Christ and his bride, and his people will all be part of it (Ephesians 5:31-32). Our source of comfort isn’t only that we’ll be with the Lord in heaven but also that we’ll be with each other. Relatives? When people think of spending an eternity in heaven, who do they most look forward to being with? ANSWER: Many people say that the first thing they want to do when they arrive in heaven is see all their friends and loved ones who have passed on before them. That will indeed be a blessed time as believers reunite to fellowship, worship God, and enjoy the glorious wonders of heaven. One of the blessings is that we will know our friends and family members in heaven, and we will be known. Being able to see our loved ones is a glorious aspect of heaven. What a pleasure it will be to reunite with our loved ones and worship God with them in His presence for all eternity! In fact, the Bible indicates we will know each other more fully than we do now. The Apostle Paul declared, "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). It's true that our appearance will change, because God will give us new bodies, similar to Jesus' resurrection body. Those bodies will never grow old or tired, nor will they ever experience pain or suffering or death. Thank God for my hope of eternal life, a hope I have only because Jesus Christ died and rose again to take away our sins. This is my hope, and it can be the hope of every person, as they turn to Christ and trust Him alone for their salvation... Jesus? When people think of spending an eternity in heaven, who do they most look forward to being with? ANSWER: The obtaining of eternal life is simple: we put our trust in Christ and in Christ alone for our salvation. Everyone who puts their trust in Christ alone, as the Bible promises, as Jesus promises, has life eternal (John 3:16). There’s no other way to get it except by faith alone. It’s not by our works. We can’t merit it. We can’t earn it. We can’t deserve it. We put our trust in Christ, who alone is worthy of the gift of eternal life. As others will welcome us to heaven’s party, so we’ll one day welcome those who arrive later. What God made us to desire is exactly what he promises to those who follow Jesus Christ: a resurrected life in a resurrected body, with the resurrected Christ on a resurrected earth. Our desires correspond precisely to God’s plans. It’s not that we want something, so we engage in wishful thinking. It’s the opposite, we want real human lives as real embodied people because God has wired us that way, and has always planned for it. Scripture tells us we will all be living with the same person (Jesus), in the same place (heaven), with God’s people (the church). There there will be marriage in heaven, one marriage, between Christ and his bride, and His people will all be part of it We’ll have true freedom in heaven, a righteous freedom that never sins. What does it mean that He will reign forever and ever? ANSWER: No matter how evil and chaotic the world looks, God’s kingdom rules the universe. HE is the One who will reign forever and ever. It is assured! What He has promised He will most certainly accomplish. He is omnipotent. Your free will means nothing in this equation whatsoever. He is the Lord God Almighty. He is not governed by a law of love, He IS love! He loves from perfect freedom, and from joy over it He sold all He had for the love of us. This means that our salvation is even bigger than we imagined. God wasn’t compelled by some law of love to save us. He needs no such compulsion. He actually freely loves us and redeemed us because that is what He truly desires! He asks no one for counsel in the matter. He is the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Others may say that you and I do not deserve these great blessings, but their voice has no place in His decisions. He is a rebel in love and we are the object of His affections. He has decided to redeem you and so you shall be redeemed. What joy is this, that HE WILL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER?!!!! It is absolute and there is only One who has any say in the decision. What He promises He always delivers. No one can remove you from His hand. Not even YOU. In what way is He the King of Glory in your life? ANSWER: I begin making Jesus King of my life by firstly making Jesus King of my mind and then King of my actions. To make Jesus King of my mind, by bringing every thought that is not Christian into captivity and obedience to Christ, blocking out voices that are contrary to Jesus and listening to His voice of truth. Once I make Jesus King of my mind it is much easier to also make Jesus King of my actions. I make Jesus King of my actions when I have to make a decision and I choose to do what would be pleasing to Jesus. And when Jesus really comes first in my life He comes first in every part of my life, and comes first in the way I vote on issues of morality. Jesus is close to me, He walks by my side, He lifts me up when I need help, He gave His life for me.

Q7. (Luke 23:46) What does Jesus mean when he says, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"? ANSWER: At the very end of Jesus’ life, as He was hanging on the cross, the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Then “Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When He had said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46). When Jesus said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” this shows his allegiance and willingness to follow God's plan. The commitment by Jesus encourages followers to do the same, pledge their spirits to God. The phrase also highlights the importance of using Scripture and God's word. Jesus’ words from the cross expressed the true feeling of His heart. Jesus feel an acute and pressing need for help, and He turns to the “faithful God,” the only true source of aid. In the midst of all His trouble, Jesus’ spirit reaches upward for relief, with a strong confidence in the One who alone is a worthy refuge. From the cross, Jesus shows us that our most valuable of treasures, our spirits, should be committed for safekeeping into the Father’s hands. Why does this saying comfort us so much? ANSWER: Into thy hands we commend our spirits. Jesus is letting it all go, and entrusting it to God, because He believes that even in death, His life, will be in the best hands of all when they are in the hands of God. Jesus has come to that point. Death is inevitable. We are to do what Jesus did and Jesus practiced. From the beginning of His ministry to the terrible moment of His death, we see a man (Jesus) dedicated, first of all, to seeking the will of God, and second of all, to doing it to the best of His ability. It always involved risk, sacrifice, prayer, and service to others. Those are good clues that you’re entrusting your day-to-day life to God, when you do things that take risks and make sacrifices for the sake of others and for the sake of God. Consistent actions that force us to surrender our control and to trust that God will make things right begin to add up, and increase our willingness, and our ability, to trust God and seek God’s will when times are hard and difficult. The point is this: Jesus didn’t only place His life and being in the hands of God at death. He did it in His life. Let’s do the same thing. Let’s affirm not only at death, but in our lives, that we belong to God. Into God’s hands let us entrust our spirits.! The moment we are saved, we commit our spirits into the Father’s hands; we trust Him for our salvation. From then on, life is lived in a day-to-day commitment of our spirits into the Father’s hands. We commit our spirits to Him in our service to Him, in our daily decisions, and in all our joys and sorrows. And, when the time of our death comes, we follow Jesus’ example and say yet again, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Q4. (Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). How does Jesus purify and refine his church? ANSWER: The concept of being refined is seen in several places in the Bible. The imagery within Scripture ought to encourage us and remind us of God’s deep love for humanity which is shown through His desire that we have pure and transformed hearts. Righteousness is vital in the life of believers, and it is not something we can achieve on our own because we are sinful and broken. But by God’s transforming love working in us, righteousness is possible. God wants to spiritually purify us with the result that our hearts and actions reflect the character of Jesus Christ to others. The trials we face in this life have been given to us to test us and purify our faith. When the fire is turned up, we may become very uncomfortable. We may want to rush the process or try to avoid it altogether, but this will only prolong it. Instead, we must keep our eyes fixed on God's sovereignty, knowing He's an excellent Father who wants what's best for us and not what's only good. Being a Christian does not spare us from experiencing conflict and trouble. Where there have been trials, persecution, and hardship, we will know the strength and power of God like never before. Forged by fire, we emerge with greater depths of intimacy with the Lord, keys of wisdom and revelation for what God is doing and is going to do, and with a foundation deeply rooted in Him so when He places the weight of our calling on us, we will be able to sustain it. In order to live a fulfilled Christian life, we need to be able to present ourselves as a righteous offering, which can only be achieved through spiritual refinement. We can only do that if we cling to Him and abide by His plans for our life. How does He purify and refine us? ANSWER: The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin, we must confess our sins. As humans, we are prey to our own frailty and sinful nature. Despite our flawed and fallen ways, God loves us, so much so, that He sent His only Son to pay the bond price for our sins on the Cross of Calvary. God refines us through two different ways: through opposition and through discipline. Despite His deep and abiding love for us, God is a holy divine being, who cannot stand to be in the presence of sin. Therefore, just as gold and other precious metals are refined through fire, so too does God cleanse us from our spiritual impurities with spiritual fire. This fire comes in the forms of tests, challenges, and adversity: By enduring the heightened temperatures we undergo a process of purification that reveals our true spiritual identity in Christ. As a result, we mature in faith, grow righteous in spirit, and develop a heart that is desirous to serve as a living sacrifice for the glory of God. God turns up the temperature in our life at times by exposing us to situations that challenge our faith, teach us perseverance, and test our faith. These trials all have the purpose of separating us from qualities that do not serve us and by extension, the Kingdom of God. The Purpose of the refiner’s fire for Christians through spiritual fire: to purify. Though we were created in the image of God, our sinful nature as well as the impact of living in a broken world fills us with thought patterns, spiritual strongholds, and behaviors that keep us falling short of God’s glory. We are to be a righteous offering. God desires to use us as a living sacrifice to share the gospel with the nations. In order to do that, we need to be able to present ourselves as a righteous offering, which can only be achieved through spiritual refinement. To reflect the character of Jesus Christ. The refining process is a repetitive process. After the initial dross is skimmed off the top of the refining pot, the refiner continues to increase the heat and skim the surface. To live a fulfilled Christian life. God wants us to live a victorious, faith-purposed life; however, we can only do that if we cling to Him and abide by His plans for our life. The process of refinement can be an unpleasant one, but ultimately, it is one that God allows us to endure for our own good. Therefore, ask God to refine you, in order that you can be the best version of yourself that you can be, for His glory On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? ANSWER: On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? What Paul meant when he said our works will be tested by fire is that our works will be judged to determine if they were done for the glory of God or for our own gain. Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has ... The quality of our work will be obvious to everyone, including us. Somehow the Lord will make it very plain what we did, whether good or bad. All the games we played and lies we told ourselves will end and in their place will be truth. The purpose of every test ultimately is to reveal truth. Paul compares this test to a fire that burns away the worthless things and leaves behind only the sturdy, valuable things. Fire is commonly used to test the quality of metals as impurities are burned away leaving only the pure elements. In this same way our work will be evaluated on the day of judgment. If our work stands up to Christʼs scrutiny, we will receive a reward. The Lord is a righteous judge and He is also a good Father Who knows how to give good gifts. We can expect that our reward will exceed anything we might have gained for ourselves here on earth. If a man comes into that moment without a proper legacy of service to Christ, then all that he brings will be burned up. We should all be working today for a better outcome on that future day as we want to receive a good result. This test comes but once, and we have only one lifetime to prepare and those results last 1,000 years.

Q3. (Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 3:22) In what sense is Jesus "Heir of All Things”? ANSWER: Jesus is the heir of all things, and that all things includes you, but to get you he had to pay for your sins. And on the cross he did. As the Son of God, (the King of kings and Lord of lords), Jesus is the heir of all that God possesses. Everything that exists will find its true meaning only when it comes under the final control of Christ. What does it imply that we are co-heirs with Him? ANSWER: According to Peter, Jesus inheritance “can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for us.” What this means for us, as followers of Christ, we are adopted into God’s family as His children, and we are “co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). As co-heirs with Christ, we are set to inherit all that Christ inherits, namely, salvation from sin and eternal life with Him. 3 Reasons Why We Are an Heir of God. We Are an Heir of God Because We Are a Child of God. We Are an Heir Because We Are Redeemed From the Curse. We Are an Heir Because We Are a Joint Heir With Jesus. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we joined God’s family. We became one of His children, and we received the same rights and privileges that Jesus has. Romans 8:17 refers to us as a joint heir with Jesus. In what sense do we possess all things? ANSWER: The sense in which we posses all things is, all things belong to those who belong to Christ. And our inheritance is: The world. The earth and all that is in it. The nations. Everything is yours because you are Christ’s: Christ’s body, Christ’s bride, Christ’s subject, Christ’s sibling, and Christ’s fellow-heir. And why does belonging to Christ make all things yours? Because Christ is God’s. “You are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.” Christ is God’s Son. Christ is God’s Word (John 1:1). Christ is God’s image (2 Corinthians 4:4). Christ is God’s Beloved (Matthew 17:5). Christ is God’s radiance (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is God’s essence (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is God’s heir (Hebrews 1:2). All the Father is, or can be, or can do for a creature, He is and does for you because you are Christ’s.

Q4. (Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). How does Jesus purify and refine his church? ANSWER: The concept of being refined is seen in several places in the Bible. The imagery within Scripture ought to encourage us and remind us of God’s deep love for humanity which is shown through His desire that we have pure and transformed hearts. Righteousness is vital in the life of believers, and it is not something we can achieve on our own because we are sinful and broken. But by God’s transforming love working in us, righteousness is possible. God wants to spiritually purify us with the result that our hearts and actions reflect the character of Jesus Christ to others. The trials we face in this life have been given to us to test us and purify our faith. When the fire is turned up, we may become very uncomfortable. We may want to rush the process or try to avoid it altogether, but this will only prolong it. Instead, we must keep our eyes fixed on God's sovereignty, knowing He's an excellent Father who wants what's best for us and not what's only good. Being a Christian does not spare us from experiencing conflict and trouble. Where there have been trials, persecution, and hardship, we will know the strength and power of God like never before. Forged by fire, we emerge with greater depths of intimacy with the Lord, keys of wisdom and revelation for what God is doing and is going to do, and with a foundation deeply rooted in Him so when He places the weight of our calling on us, we will be able to sustain it. In order to live a fulfilled Christian life, we need to be able to present ourselves as a righteous offering, which can only be achieved through spiritual refinement. We can only do that if we cling to Him and abide by His plans for our life. How does He purify and refine us? ANSWER: The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin, we must confess our sins. As humans, we are prey to our own frailty and sinful nature. Despite our flawed and fallen ways, God loves us, so much so, that He sent His only Son to pay the bond price for our sins on the Cross of Calvary. God refines us through two different ways: through opposition and through discipline. Despite His deep and abiding love for us, God is a holy divine being, who cannot stand to be in the presence of sin. Therefore, just as gold and other precious metals are refined through fire, so too does God cleanse us from our spiritual impurities with spiritual fire. This fire comes in the forms of tests, challenges, and adversity: By enduring the heightened temperatures we undergo a process of purification that reveals our true spiritual identity in Christ. As a result, we mature in faith, grow righteous in spirit, and develop a heart that is desirous to serve as a living sacrifice for the glory of God. God turns up the temperature in our life at times by exposing us to situations that challenge our faith, teach us perseverance, and test our faith. These trials all have the purpose of separating us from qualities that do not serve us and by extension, the Kingdom of God. The Purpose of the refiner’s fire for Christians through spiritual fire: to purify. Though we were created in the image of God, our sinful nature as well as the impact of living in a broken world fills us with thought patterns, spiritual strongholds, and behaviors that keep us falling short of God’s glory. We are to be a righteous offering. God desires to use us as a living sacrifice to share the gospel with the nations. In order to do that, we need to be able to present ourselves as a righteous offering, which can only be achieved through spiritual refinement. To reflect the character of Jesus Christ. The refining process is a repetitive process. After the initial dross is skimmed off the top of the refining pot, the refiner continues to increase the heat and skim the surface. To live a fulfilled Christian life. God wants us to live a victorious, faith-purposed life; however, we can only do that if we cling to Him and abide by His plans for our life. The process of refinement can be an unpleasant one, but ultimately, it is one that God allows us to endure for our own good. Therefore, ask God to refine you, in order that you can be the best version of yourself that you can be, for His glory On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? ANSWER: On the Day that fire will test your deeds, will you have anything that remains, besides your salvation? What Paul meant when he said our works will be tested by fire is that our works will be judged to determine if they were done for the glory of God or for our own gain. Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has ... The quality of our work will be obvious to everyone, including us. Somehow the Lord will make it very plain what we did, whether good or bad. All the games we played and lies we told ourselves will end and in their place will be truth. The purpose of every test ultimately is to reveal truth. Paul compares this test to a fire that burns away the worthless things and leaves behind only the sturdy, valuable things. Fire is commonly used to test the quality of metals as impurities are burned away leaving only the pure elements. In this same way our work will be evaluated on the day of judgment. If our work stands up to Christʼs scrutiny, we will receive a reward. The Lord is a righteous judge and He is also a good Father Who knows how to give good gifts. We can expect that our reward will exceed anything we might have gained for ourselves here on earth. If a man comes into that moment without a proper legacy of service to Christ, then all that he brings will be burned up. We should all be working today for a better outcome on that future day as we want to receive a good result. This test comes but once, and we have only one lifetime to prepare and those results last 1,000 years.

Q5. (John 19:28) What do you learn from Jesus' Fifth Word: "I thirst"? ANSWER: The words, “I THIRST.” This phrase actually reveals a great deal about Jesus and the nature of His work on our behalf. Word: "I THIRST"? The phrase reminds us again of the incredible physical suffering that Jesus suffered on our behalf. There are three things the phrase, “I THIRST” reveals to us about Jesus. Jesus suffered Physically: First, that Jesus suffered physically. thirst was a picture of judgment. It was a sign of our broken relationship with God. Of our sin. It was a physical representation of our spiritual dehydration. And our need for salvation. Our need for someone to bear our thirst - curse and give us living water. Jesus fulfills Scripture: Jesus provides for our thirst. The fact that Jesus fulfills Scripture in His last words should be great encouragement to us. Because, in a sense, Jesus is saying “everything is going to plan.” As as He hangs in agony on the cross, Jesus declares His thirst in the fulfillment of Scripture, reminding us that He is the suffering servant, He is the Lamb of God, He is the One who takes away the sin of the world, and that God’s plan of our salvation is being fulfilled as it was written. Provision for our Thirst. This is the third thing of Jesus’ statement, “I THIRST,” reveals to us: He is providing what the curse of physical thirst points to: our spiritual thirst! Our broken relationship with God. He does so by becoming thirsty Himself, in our place, even though He perfectly obeyed God’s commands, so that He could give us a “spring of water welling up to eternal life.” In His physical thirst, He is bearing our curse of spiritual thirst by receiving the wrath of God against our sins. In summary, God’s Word is incredible!! The record of Jesus’ thirst actually reveals a great deal about the One who uttered, “I THIRST.” We’ve seen that it reveals that Jesus Suffered Physically. We’ve seen that it reveals that Jesus Fulfilled Scripture, and we’ve seen that it reveals that Jesus Provided for our Thirst. What does this tell us about Jesus? ANSWER: The fifth word, “I THIRST,” is the only time that Jesus speaks of His physical suffering and pain. His thirst is a burning desire to give! His thirst is a desire to pour out love and mercy. A love that is literally dying to pour out upon us from His pierced side. His thirst will not be quenched until we stop rejecting His love and make an act of surrender and trust to receive His love. Christ's thirst was not only physical. It is the agonizing cry of one who is surrounded by blindness, hardness of heart, cruelty. This fifth word is the most human sentiment uttered by Jesus. Toward the end of His hours on the cross, when the Lord Jesus realized that everything was finished, He said, “I THIRST” (John 19:28). This word indicates that while the Lord Jesus was dying on the cross, He was working. In this regard His death was different from that of any other person. Through His death the Lord did a great work. While this work was taking place, He did not drink anything. The Lord Jesus indicated His thirst and need of a drink because He knew that “all things had now been accomplished.” Jesus said, “I THIRST,” from the cross because He wanted His lips and throat moistened to utter one final victorious shout before He died. When Jesus then had taken the vinegar, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.” The death of Jesus Christ finished His work of redemption, atonement, and reconciliation. Our ransom complete, Jesus, with a resounding voice, wanted all people to hear these words, words that still ring strong today: “It is finished!” What does this tell us about His experience on the cross? ANSWER: It is a reminder that the Passion is not only a spiritual reality, a cosmic happening. It is a bodily act, the crucifixion of a man's body. The Nature of Thirst - In His final moments on the Cross, we see Jesus submitting himself to very human, vulnerable feelings of emptiness and need both in body and spirit. He allows Himself to be brought to the pit of all thirst. He feels bodily thirst as He’s pushed to His limits near death. He suffers, He falls, He bleeds, He thirsts. His Thirst Meets Our Thirst: Even now, Jesus still thirsts for us. He experienced the thirst of all mankind on the Cross—the unique thirst of every human heart who longs to be satisfied and fully known. And in that thirst, he wants to give us living water; the living water of his divine mercy and love. He Stands at the Door: We must be ready to meet Jesus in His thirst and extend to Him our trust. And we should allow Him to meet us in our thirst with a drink of living water. May we remember the thirst of our Savior for our hearts. In spirit, He is telling us, “No matter what you have done, I love you for your own sake, Come to Me with your misery and your sins, with your troubles and needs, and with all your longing to be loved. I stand at the door of your heart and knock. Open to Me, for I THIRST FOR YOU…”

Q6. (John 19:30) What had Jesus "finished"? ANSWER: Jesus had finished: The long night of His suffering. He was plunged into indescribable suffering, but He was not overcome by it. He came through it and he triumphed in it. The full course of His obedience. Jesus’ perfect life of obedience was now complete and He was about to lay it down, so He said, “It is finished.” The decisive battle with His enemy. God’s promise in Eden is precisely what happened at the cross. In Christ’s death, He breaks the devil’s power. The complete work of His atonement. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to give His life as a ransom for many, and on the cross He says, “It is finished.” He has borne the guilt of our sins. What can we learn for our own lives from this Sixth Word: "It is finished"? ANSWER: On the cross, Jesus took upon himself the thirst of alienation from God and the poison of death. He drank the bitter cup of the Father’s wrath against sin so that we might be spared it.

Q2. (Revelation 1:17-18; Hebrews 12:2) What do the titles First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End teach us about Jesus' nature? ANSWER: What it is the titles “First and Last” teach us about Jesus' nature is, Jesus is claiming to be the Great Jehovah of the OT; Jesus is claiming pre-existence as Jehovah of the OT; Jesus, by using this title is claiming that this was also thus, He is eternally Jehovah from the first to last. The titles “Alpha and Omega” teach us about Jesus’ nature is Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, which means that Jesus was here before time began, and He’ll be here after time ends. Jesus is eternal and Jesus is all we need. Jesus is the first cause of our faith. He blazed the trail of faith, showing us what it means to trust our heavenly Father with our whole lives. Christ is the originator of our faith in that He begins it, as well as the captain and prince or our faith. This indicates that Jesus controls our faith, steers it as a captain steers a ship, and presides over it and cares for it as a monarch presides over and cares for his people. It is important for us to understand that God in Christ is not only the creator and sustainer of our saving faith, but He is also the sustainer of our daily walk and the finisher of our spiritual journey. For if God in Christ is not the author of our new life, and if Christ is not the finisher and perfecter of our faith through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, then we are neither born again nor are we a true follower of Christ. “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” How does knowing that Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith help build our trust in Him? ANSWER: He has many names, but Author and Perfecter are distinctly related to a life of faith. Jesus is the “founder” (or “author,” or “pioneer”) of our faith in at least three senses. First, He is the only one who has finished the race in its fullest sense. Jesus, however, has entered God’s rest in heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand. We, together with these others, will reign with Jesus in heaven (Revelation 20:4). Secondly, it was actually Jesus’ perfect life that has made it possible for these others to run their race (Hebrews 10:5-14). If Jesus had not come, the race of everyone else would have been futile. Finally, Jesus is the reason we have faith. As one with God, He expressed the faithfulness of God toward us. God never gave up in His efforts to save us, and that is why we will reach the reward in the end if we don’t give up. Jesus ran with patience and remained faithful, even when we were faithless (2 Timothy 2:13). Our faith is only a response to His faithfulness. In the end, Jesus is the “perfecter” of faith because He perfectly exemplifies how the race of faith is run. He laid aside every weight by giving up everything for us. Though we can never achieve what Jesus did in our own strength, we have His perfect example before us, and so by faith in Him, and keeping our eyes on Him (as have the others before us), we press on ahead in faith, trusting in His promises of a great reward. Just as the men and women of faith did in Hebrews 11, we have a task to do with the materials at hand. Jesus provides the defined standard.

Q2. (Revelation 1:17-18; Hebrews 12:2) What do the titles First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End teach us about Jesus' nature? ANSWER: What it is the titles “First and Last” teach us about Jesus' nature is, Jesus is claiming to be the Great Jehovah of the OT; Jesus is claiming pre-existence as Jehovah of the OT; Jesus, by using this title is claiming that this was also thus, He is eternally Jehovah from the first to last. The titles “Alpha and Omega” teach us about Jesus’ nature is Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, which means that Jesus was here before time began, and He’ll be here after time ends. Jesus is eternal and Jesus is all we need. Jesus is the first cause of our faith. He blazed the trail of faith, showing us what it means to trust our heavenly Father with our whole lives. Christ is the originator of our faith in that He begins it, as well as the captain and prince or our faith. This indicates that Jesus controls our faith, steers it as a captain steers a ship, and presides over it and cares for it as a monarch presides over and cares for his people. It is important for us to understand that God in Christ is not only the creator and sustainer of our saving faith, but He is also the sustainer of our daily walk and the finisher of our spiritual journey. For if God in Christ is not the author of our new life, and if Christ is not the finisher and perfecter of our faith through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, then we are neither born again nor are we a true follower of Christ. “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” How does knowing that Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith help build our trust in Him? ANSWER: He has many names, but Author and Perfecter are distinctly related to a life of faith. Jesus is the “founder” (or “author,” or “pioneer”) of our faith in at least three senses. First, He is the only one who has finished the race in its fullest sense. Jesus, however, has entered God’s rest in heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand. We, together with these others, will reign with Jesus in heaven (Revelation 20:4). Secondly, it was actually Jesus’ perfect life that has made it possible for these others to run their race (Hebrews 10:5-14). If Jesus had not come, the race of everyone else would have been futile. Finally, Jesus is the reason we have faith. As one with God, He expressed the faithfulness of God toward us. God never gave up in His efforts to save us, and that is why we will reach the reward in the end if we don’t give up. Jesus ran with patience and remained faithful, even when we were faithless (2 Timothy 2:13). Our faith is only a response to His faithfulness. In the end, Jesus is the “perfecter” of faith because He perfectly exemplifies how the race of faith is run. He laid aside every weight by giving up everything for us. Though we can never achieve what Jesus did in our own strength, we have His perfect example before us, and so by faith in Him, and keeping our eyes on Him (as have the others before us), we press on ahead in faith, trusting in His promises of a great reward. Just as the men and women of faith did in Hebrews 11, we have a task to do with the materials at hand. Jesus provides the defined standard.

Q1. (Hebrews 1:3; Matthew 17:1-2) In what ways did Jesus show the Father's glory in His ministry? ANSWER: Jesus brought glory to His Father, His message was Jesus modeled glorifying God not only in His obedience to the commandments but also with the truth of His message. He invited others to enter the blessings of His Kingdom and taught the narrow way for all would-be disciples. His message proclaimed the grace and mercy of God while also boldly praising the righteous way of life and expressing displeasure toward what is evil. We glorify God in imitation of Christ as ambassadors of His message by, first, proclaiming the truth of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as Savior and Lord. We also speak up to honor what is righteous and good and to warn against what is false and evil, not in arrogant judgment, but in the hope that all people will find peace with God and reconciliation with others through obedience to the truth. Why do you think Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to see His Transfiguration? ANSWER: The Holy Scripture of the New Testament states that only three disciples participated in the event of the Transfiguration. They were the most prominent figures and participants in the most important works of Jesus Christ: Peter, James, and John. Christ took only these disciples because they stood out among all the others: Peter because He loved Jesus, John because Jesus loved Him, and James because of the answer which He gave together with His brother: we are able to drink Your cup with You (Matthew 20:22). Also, the three disciples were taken as witnesses according to Jewish tradition. Jesus could not take all the disciples because not everyone was worthy, and not everyone could accommodate the event and pass it on. Nevertheless, each of the apostles had certain qualities: Peter loved Christ and was firm in his confession, after which he was able to receive a confirmation from Christ himself that He was God; John was Jesus’s own beloved disciple; James was a zealous disciple, according to Jewish law, who preached Christ ardently with his life. How do you think Jesus will appear in heaven? ANSWER: When Jesus returns, His appearance will not be as a human being who claims to be Christ or who seems to have special powers. Instead, Christ’s return will be so supernatural that there will be no doubt that it is He. Both returns of Christ will be so supernatural, there will be no question who the true Jesus is. We should not have a problem being misled by false Christs. We can be prepared for the returns by making certain that we belong to Jesus.

Q3. (Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 3:22) In what sense is Jesus "Heir of All Things”? ANSWER: Jesus is the heir of all things, and that all things includes you, but to get you he had to pay for your sins. And on the cross he did. As the Son of God, (the King of kings and Lord of lords), Jesus is the heir of all that God possesses. Everything that exists will find its true meaning only when it comes under the final control of Christ. What does it imply that we are co-heirs with Him? ANSWER: According to Peter, Jesus inheritance “can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for us.” What this means for us, as followers of Christ, we are adopted into God’s family as His children, and we are “co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). As co-heirs with Christ, we are set to inherit all that Christ inherits, namely, salvation from sin and eternal life with Him. 3 Reasons Why We Are an Heir of God. We Are an Heir of God Because We Are a Child of God. We Are an Heir Because We Are Redeemed From the Curse. We Are an Heir Because We Are a Joint Heir With Jesus. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we joined God’s family. We became one of His children, and we received the same rights and privileges that Jesus has. Romans 8:17 refers to us as a joint heir with Jesus. In what sense do we possess all things? ANSWER: The sense in which we posses all things is, all things belong to those who belong to Christ. And our inheritance is: The world. The earth and all that is in it. The nations. Everything is yours because you are Christ’s: Christ’s body, Christ’s bride, Christ’s subject, Christ’s sibling, and Christ’s fellow-heir. And why does belonging to Christ make all things yours? Because Christ is God’s. “You are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.” Christ is God’s Son. Christ is God’s Word (John 1:1). Christ is God’s image (2 Corinthians 4:4). Christ is God’s Beloved (Matthew 17:5). Christ is God’s radiance (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is God’s essence (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is God’s heir (Hebrews 1:2). All the Father is, or can be, or can do for a creature, He is and does for you because you are Christ’s.

Q2. (Revelation 1:17-18; Hebrews 12:2) What do the titles First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End teach us about Jesus' nature? ANSWER: What it is the titles “First and Last” teach us about Jesus' nature is, Jesus is claiming to be the Great Jehovah of the OT; Jesus is claiming pre-existence as Jehovah of the OT; Jesus, by using this title is claiming that this was also thus, He is eternally Jehovah from the first to last. The titles “Alpha and Omega” teach us about Jesus’ nature is Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, which means that Jesus was here before time began, and He’ll be here after time ends. Jesus is eternal and Jesus is all we need. Jesus is the first cause of our faith. He blazed the trail of faith, showing us what it means to trust our heavenly Father with our whole lives. Christ is the originator of our faith in that He begins it, as well as the captain and prince or our faith. This indicates that Jesus controls our faith, steers it as a captain steers a ship, and presides over it and cares for it as a monarch presides over and cares for his people. It is important for us to understand that God in Christ is not only the creator and sustainer of our saving faith, but He is also the sustainer of our daily walk and the finisher of our spiritual journey. For if God in Christ is not the author of our new life, and if Christ is not the finisher and perfecter of our faith through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, then we are neither born again nor are we a true follower of Christ. “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” How does knowing that Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith help build our trust in Him? ANSWER: He has many names, but Author and Perfecter are distinctly related to a life of faith. Jesus is the “founder” (or “author,” or “pioneer”) of our faith in at least three senses. First, He is the only one who has finished the race in its fullest sense. Jesus, however, has entered God’s rest in heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand. We, together with these others, will reign with Jesus in heaven (Revelation 20:4). Secondly, it was actually Jesus’ perfect life that has made it possible for these others to run their race (Hebrews 10:5-14). If Jesus had not come, the race of everyone else would have been futile. Finally, Jesus is the reason we have faith. As one with God, He expressed the faithfulness of God toward us. God never gave up in His efforts to save us, and that is why we will reach the reward in the end if we don’t give up. Jesus ran with patience and remained faithful, even when we were faithless (2 Timothy 2:13). Our faith is only a response to His faithfulness. In the end, Jesus is the “perfecter” of faith because He perfectly exemplifies how the race of faith is run. He laid aside every weight by giving up everything for us. Though we can never achieve what Jesus did in our own strength, we have His perfect example before us, and so by faith in Him, and keeping our eyes on Him (as have the others before us), we press on ahead in faith, trusting in His promises of a great reward. Just as the men and women of faith did in Hebrews 11, we have a task to do with the materials at hand. Jesus provides the defined standard.

Q1. (Hebrews 1:3; Matthew 17:1-2) In what ways did Jesus show the Father's glory in His ministry? ANSWER: Jesus brought glory to His Father, His message was Jesus modeled glorifying God not only in His obedience to the commandments but also with the truth of His message. He invited others to enter the blessings of His Kingdom and taught the narrow way for all would-be disciples. His message proclaimed the grace and mercy of God while also boldly praising the righteous way of life and expressing displeasure toward what is evil. We glorify God in imitation of Christ as ambassadors of His message by, first, proclaiming the truth of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as Savior and Lord. We also speak up to honor what is righteous and good and to warn against what is false and evil, not in arrogant judgment, but in the hope that all people will find peace with God and reconciliation with others through obedience to the truth. Why do you think Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to see His Transfiguration? ANSWER: The Holy Scripture of the New Testament states that only three disciples participated in the event of the Transfiguration. They were the most prominent figures and participants in the most important works of Jesus Christ: Peter, James, and John. Christ took only these disciples because they stood out among all the others: Peter because He loved Jesus, John because Jesus loved Him, and James because of the answer which He gave together with His brother: we are able to drink Your cup with You (Matthew 20:22). Also, the three disciples were taken as witnesses according to Jewish tradition. Jesus could not take all the disciples because not everyone was worthy, and not everyone could accommodate the event and pass it on. Nevertheless, each of the apostles had certain qualities: Peter loved Christ and was firm in his confession, after which he was able to receive a confirmation from Christ himself that He was God; John was Jesus’s own beloved disciple; James was a zealous disciple, according to Jewish law, who preached Christ ardently with his life. How do you think Jesus will appear in heaven? ANSWER: When Jesus returns, His appearance will not be as a human being who claims to be Christ or who seems to have special powers. Instead, Christ’s return will be so supernatural that there will be no doubt that it is He. Both returns of Christ will be so supernatural, there will be no question who the true Jesus is. We should not have a problem being misled by false Christs. We can be prepared for the returns by making certain that we belong to Jesus.